The CDC has issued a warning to Americans about a recent listeria outbreak that has affected over 25 individuals in 12 different states. The cause of the outbreak is believed to be linked to the consumption of deli meat, and therefore caution is advised.
According to the federal health agency, 28 individuals have fallen ill as of Friday. All of them have been hospitalized, and unfortunately, two people have passed away – one from Illinois and one from New Jersey.
Currently, the state with the highest number of cases is New York, with a total of seven reported cases. Following closely behind is Maryland, with six confirmed cases. Additionally, other states that have also reported cases include Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
According to the CDC’s report on Friday, the number of individuals affected by this outbreak is probably more than what has been officially announced. It is also possible that this outbreak is not restricted to the states that have reported illnesses. The reason being that some individuals recuperate without medical attention and are not checked for Listeria. Furthermore, it typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to confirm if a sick person is part of an outbreak, which means that recent illnesses may not have been reported yet.
According to the CDC, they are working alongside their partners, including the USDA-FSIS, to gather information and trace the origin of the outbreak. The majority of the affected individuals in this particular instance disclosed that they had consumed deli meat prior to experiencing symptoms.
At present, there is no evidence to suggest that prepackaged deli meats are causing any illnesses among consumers.
According to the CDC, out of the 18 individuals who were interviewed, 16 of them disclosed consuming sliced meats from a deli, with deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham being the most commonly consumed. The meats were sliced at various grocery store and supermarket delis.
According to data from the CDC, cases have been reported from May 29 to July 5. The age of the patients ranges from 32 to 94 years old, with a median age of 75. The majority of patients, 72%, identify as white, while 23% identify as Black or African American and 5% as Asian.
According to the CDC, consuming food that has been contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can lead to a severe infection called listeriosis. This infection can advance to invasive listeriosis, where the bacteria spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract and affects other areas of the body.
According to the CDC, individuals typically experience symptoms of severe illness within one to four weeks after consuming contaminated food. However, it is possible for symptoms to manifest as soon as the same day or as late as 70 days later.
Each year, approximately 1,600 individuals contract listeriosis, with around 260 fatalities reported. Pregnant women and newborns, adults over the age of 65, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to this disease.
If you’re not pregnant, you may go through symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. However, if you’re pregnant, you are more likely to experience only a fever and flu-like symptoms.
According to the CDC, individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting listeriosis should refrain from consuming meat that has been sliced at deli counters, unless it has been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until it is steaming hot, just before serving. Additionally, the agency advises anyone who experiences symptoms of listeriosis after consuming deli-sliced meat to contact their healthcare provider immediately.